A German student experience in Bulgaria... Suzi Jaeckel

Last year, in the middle of August, Suzi landed in Sofia, Bulgaria, to begin her one-year exchange experience. She was 15 when she took that plane. And now, several months later, we asked her to look back and tell us a bit about her experience. This is what she has to share with us!:

"Exchange is changing. Changing in every way that is possible. From the outside, from the inside. Your way of thinking, the way you see people, your habits. You are changing your life and after that, it will never be like before again.

For me, this happens in Bulgaria. A small country in Europe, even in the European Union, but so different. 16 years of my life I spent in Germany, which is not so far from Bulgaria if you see it from a geographical point of view. As in for the culture, the people, the mentality and almost everything else, it's just so different. Sometimes, even the opposite.

So, to start from the beginning: It is the August 14th, 2015. In the middle of the night, my family and I are on the way to the airport, to say "Goodbye!", for almost one year. I decided to go, to change, to gain experiences – good ones and bad ones – to have fun, to learn a new culture and a new language.

The plane flies over Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and lands in Bulgaria. The whole time I couldn't realise what I was doing there. Why would I leave Germany for one year? My friends, my family, my whole life? Just to start a new one in another place. It seemed crazy, but also so unbelievable and interesting.

- Now I am at the point where I know why I did all that; what exchange really means. I know about its benefits, the sides that are difficult and, of course, I learnt about Bulgaria and now I would like to share these things. -

Ádám (our Hungarian exchange student) 
and Suzi during their Bulgarian course!

We are 7 exchange students this year in Bulgaria and our exchange started with a 1-month language course in Sofia before we started the school in different places all around Bulgaria. This first month gave us so many different impressions, we started learning a language, that is completely different from our own and we could share our impressions, feelings, experiences and so on directly with the others, because we saw each other almost every day in the course or after that in the city centre, where we enjoyed the summer evenings and afternoons.

But the real exchange started in the middle of September. A new family, for most of us a new city in Bulgaria, school, and that meant again a new environment. We already learnt, how the life in a host family is and how we should behave because we started to get to know the differences between the Bulgarian culture and the culture where we have been living our entire life before.

My year was supposed to take place in Blagoevgrad, a smaller city in south-western Bulgaria, but as everybody will tell you, sometimes there are unexpected things happening. Things that are not really cool, but you learn from them. And so it was for me. After one month I returned back to Sofia, leaving my new friends, my hobbies and my school because I just had bad luck with my host family views on some things in the world that made it impossible for me to live there. So I had to leave Blagoevgrad and I returned to Sofia. There were 1 or two days, where I was really sad, but my friends from Sofia helped me over this time.

The view from Suzi's house in Sofia!

However, there was a new host family waiting for me in Sofia. It was obviously the best thing that could ever have happened to me. I came into a family with two parents and two lovely sisters, that are now a real family for me! We are doing things together, eating dinner together and I just get along with them so well. We have even been in Austria on vacation, where we were snowboarding and skiing and it was really great!

And another one, during sunset

In the time I spent here I learnt to adapt to different situations, the Bulgarian culture and I learnt to speak the language of the country, that I can now call my home. But what's so different in Bulgaria and Germany? I am going to try to explain that, but it could be really hard since you have to experience all these things within a long time. To start with the mentality, I would say that the biggest difference is the fact that Bulgarians are so opened. You get to know a person and they start talking about anything from their life or just what they are thinking about, which makes it a lot easier to get to know many different people and to make friends. In Germany, I was used to getting to know other people a lot slower.

When you come to Bulgaria, you will always here the sentence "Има време!", which means "there is time!" Being some minutes late for meetings is no problem. Doing things only in the last moment is completely normal and no one will be mad at you for that. Also, if anything that you have done is not perfect, people are pleased with what you have done, which is a really great feeling. I once did the dishes and broke a glass. In Germany it would be a problem and most people would just see that you broke something, but not that you helped. Here my host dad just told me that it happens when you are doing something like that and that it is absolutely no problem. I really like that part of the mentality.

Suzi's martenitsas ♥

The school takes a big part of my life and all of the exchange students that come to Bulgaria. The school system is really different from the one in Germany. There are good parts and others that I don't like very much. Of course, every school system has its benefits and negative points. Here the students don't discuss with the teacher: she or he is always correct. Most of the lessons are writing exactly the things that the teacher says. Such thing as "creative thinking" is really none existing, but the younger teachers are starting to try it. My Ethics teacher, who is really young for example, asks for our opinion and we do a lot of presentations there. In the next years, there will also be a lot of changes in the system and it is going to be more modern than now. On the other side the school is a lot shorter than in Germany, here we start at 7:30 finish at 1:15 or even 12:30 two times a week and in Germany I often had school from 8:00 to around 4 o' clock. So after doing the homework, there is still a lot of free time left, which is actually really great.

Suzi and Eva (our Danish exchange student)

The food – It is so different. Bulgarians are so proud of their food (and also of their county. The Bulgarian flag is everywhere!). There are at least 15 things that you have to try if you come to Bulgaria. The most famous one is Banitsa, which is basically kind of phyllo dough with Sirene (its cheese, that you can only get here) and then it's baked in the oven. Eating Banitsa always makes me happy. With my host family I also learnt how to make the Banitsa, that was funny and it is not so hard. The yoghurt is also a thing that is really Bulgarian because the bacteria for it can only be found here in Bulgaria and it has a special taste. If you see a drink called "boza" on the street, try it. I don't want to say anything about the taste, but it is ... surprising. ;)

Exchange also gave me some other moments that will never ever be possible if I would have stayed in Germany. Or would you ever get an accent in your mother tongue without living abroad? Could you ever call two places far away from each other your "home" or two families YOUR families? How could it be possible to learn a language that you couldn't talk at all before within a year, without going to live somewhere else?

This year gave me the opportunity to get to know who I am. To question things that I always did the same way. To think about stereotypes, to tolerate all kind of people's characters, to adapt to a country that I had only known from my geography book in school. This year is like the ultimate opportunity in life!

Until my return to Germany, there is only a relatively small time left and I really want to enjoy being together with my family and friends here, because the time went by so fast and it will never come again!"

Suzi, thank you so much for sharing this with us. We know you'll have an amazing rest of the year!

Опитът на един ученик на обмен в Дания... Яна Иванова (A student experience in Denmark... Iana Ivanova)

Our dear student Iana took the time to answer some questions, so let's jump right into it! 

(You can find the English version below)

Как се чувствам в Дания сега?

В Дания съм от 7 месеца и ми остават още само 4. И като си помисля, че времето ми тук свършва не мога да повярвам колко бързо отлетя! Все още не мога да осъзная, че ще напусна дома, приятелите и семейството си тук. Как се чувствам ли? Чувствам се щастлива, че съучениците ми, другите ученици на обмен и най-вече приемното ми семейство отвориха сърцата и домовете си и споделихме толкова невероятни моменти заедно! Знам, че винаги когато се върна ще има при кого да дойда и ще ме приемат отново с отворени обятия. Беше ми тъжно когато напусках дома си за 11 месеца, но знаех че ще се върна. А когато трябва да напусна и втория си дом и никога вече няма да имам този живот- тук и сега… сърцето ми се свива само при мисълта за това. Сега Дания е моят дом и аз го обичам, както и всички с които направихме тези месеци незабравими!

Какво най-много ме изненада от страната?

Когато заминавах за Дания не знаех много за страната и хората тук. Четох много и бях чувала доста стереотипи, за това си признавам, че първото което ме изненада е, че не всички са високи, руси и стройни . Тук има хора от всякаква раса, религия и сексуална ориентация, хора с различни възможности и социален статус и всички са равни! Очаквах хората да са по-консервативни и традиционно мислещи, но те ме изненадаха с безграничното си приемане на различни култури и начини на мислене и техните „странности“ 

Нещо за семейството ми…

Ах! Семейството ми е страхотно! Много сме различни един от друг и въпреки това станахме семейство. Спомням си първия ден, когато дойдох при тях, колко бях развълнувана и леко стресната от голямата промяна, но те бяха до мен. Направиха всичко, за да се почувствам като у дома си. И от тогава не спират да се интересуват от мен, а аз знам че мога да споделя с тях, ако нещо ме тревожи или ми липсва България. Показаха ми неща за които дори не съм се и замисляла (пр: карамелизирани картофи:D ) Заедно ходихме на невероятни места, и са винаги готови да се погрижат за мен, когато имам нужда от тях. Те са веселяци и през цялото време се смеем и забавляваме, за по-добре прекарано време с тях не мога и да мечтая!

Какво научих до сега?

Не знаех, че за толкова кратко време е възможно да науча толкова много неща, както за себе си, така и за света и хората около мен. В датския езика има една дума- „hygge“. Тя не може да се преведе, но описва чувството когато си заедно с близки за теб хора, вътре, на топло и играете „Не се сърди човече“ ;). Предполагам, че на български думата би била „уют“ + „любов“. Пълният смисъл на думата разбрах на Коледа, когато цялото семейство пяхме песни около елхата, ядохме сладкиши и си разменяхме подаръци! Освен езика и всички нови емоции мисля, че едно от най-важните неща които научих на обмена си до сега е как всичко си има по няколко пласта. Когато се намираш в страна където всичко е различно и хората възприемат света по различен начин е неизбежно и ти самия да погледнеш на нещата от друг ъгъл. Винаги съм смятала това за изключително качество. Това е най-ценния урок който научих още в първите си месеци тук и мисля че живота в друга държава е най-бързия начин да го науча!

Какво бих казала на всеки който иска да стане ученик на обмен с YFU?

Знам, че изглежда плашещо просто да „зарежеш“ живота си у дома, семейството и приятелите си. Страшно е и да се озовеш сам на място където никой не те разбира (поне в началото) и е трудно да се справиш с чувствата бушуващи вътре в теб, знам. Но истината е, че не си сам! YFU е като едно огромно семейство, което се грижи за теб, но отдалече, за да ти даде достатъчно пространство да изявиш целия си потенциал. Всички в организацията разбират през какво минаваш и са до теб, за да ти помогнат. Също така има още толкова много стреснати ученици, които изживяват абсолютно същото като теб. А най-якото е, че откъдето и да идват, колкото и да сте различни те стават най-добрите ти приятели! Това и е уникалното на тази година- запознаваш се с изключително много хора с които още след третия ден от лагера имаш чувството че сте били заедно от малки. От напълно непознати, за една година, станахме семейство! Родителите ми обичат да казват, че да отидеш на обмен е като съвременна казарма, защото калява характера ;). Аз обаче бих казала, че това е възможно най-забавната версия на предстоящия ни живот като възрастни. Вместо да се хвърлиш направо в дълбокото, първо се гмуркаме плавно и неусетно за да видим красотата която ни очаква. Никой не обещава, че е лесно, но бих го направила отново и отново защото определено си заслужава!

How do I feel in Denmark?

It has been 7 months that I am in Denmark and I have only 4 more. And when I think that my time is coming to an end, I cannot believe how fast it flies away. I still cannot believe that I will have to leave my new home, friends, and family in Denmark. How do I feel? I feel so happy that my classmates, the other exchange students, and most importantly my host family have opened their hearts and homes and we have spend so many incredible moments together. I know that every time I come back in Denmark, I will have a place where I will be welcomed. I was sad when I had to leave my home for 11 months, but I knew I will come back again. And now when I think that I will have to leave my second home, and I will never “live this life ever again” my heart is aching. Now Denmark is my home – I love my new home, as well as all the people who made these months unforgettable!

What surprised me the most in Denmark? When I left Bulgaria to come in Denmark, I did not know anything about the country and the people. I had read a lot and I had heard many different stereotypes. This is the reason I was very surprised that not everyone is tall, blond and in good shape. In Denmark you can see people from different race, religion, and sexual orientation, as well as people having different social status, and they are all equal! I was expecting the people to be more conservative, but I was surprised by their acceptance of other cultures and mindsets and by their cure little weird habits.

Something about my family…

I have a great family! We are very different, but we have became a real family! I remember the first day when I met them – I was so excited and somewhat scared of the big change, but they were there for me. They made everything, so that I feel at home. Since that moment, they have always been taking care of me, and I know that I can tell them when I am worried or homesick. They have shown me new things—caramelized potatoes, for example. Together we have been to wonderful places, and they are always there for me when I need them. They are happy people, we laugh and we have fun all the time – I could not imagine a better way to spend may time with them.

What have I learned so far?

I did not know that for so little time I could learn so many new things about myself, as well as the world and the people around me. In Danish we say „hygge“. It has no translation, but describes this feeling when you are surrounded by your loved ones at a warm place where you play together board games (Ludo, for example). I guess the closest translation of that word would be “cosy” + “love”. The full sense of this word I learned on Christmas when we were singing songs around the Christmas tree, we were eating sweets, and exchanging gifts. During my exchange I have discovered not only the language and many new emotions, but also that everything in this world has several layers. When you live in a country where everything is different and the people see the world in a different way, it is only a matter of time that you too start looking from their perspective. I have always considered this to be a great feature! This is the most important lesson I have learned during my first months here, and I believe living in another country was the fastest way to learn it.

What would I say to a student who wants to go on exchange with YFU?

I know that it may look scary to “leave” you live, family, and friends. It is also scary to find yourself at a place where people do not understand you (at least in the beginning). It is also difficult to deal with all those feelings, I know that. But the true is that you are not alone in this! YFU is one big family that will take care of you while giving you enough space to show your full potential. Everyone in the organization know what are you dealing with you right now and will help you in that. There are also many other scared students who are going through exactly the same as you do. And the best part is that you may come from different places and be so different from each other, but you always become best friends! This is what makes this year so special – you meet so many new people and you have the feeling that you have always been friends. We were complete strangers, now we are family! My parents used to say that going on exchange in like going in the army, because it makes you stronger! I would say that this is the best version of what is waiting for us in our adult life. Instead of going in the deep right away, we take little steps in order to see the beauty that is waiting us. No one says it will be easy, but I would do it again and again, because it is definitely worth it!

Spend Christmas on Exchange in the Balkans

Bulgarian Christmas feast (source)

3 Countries – 2 Christmases – 1 Experience!

Have you ever thought you could have the chance to experience your favorite childhood celebration twice in one year? What if you could do this, and at the same time, learn about foreign countries, their people, and how they celebrate one of the most important and significant holidays in their culture? This is exactly what you can do with the Balkans 3-2-1 Christmas Program. As you travel through Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia over 6 weeks, you will gain a fascinating insight into the Balkans and how they celebrate the Christmas period!

Your journey will start in Bucharest, Romania. Although the country has a reputation for being the homeland of Count Dracula, this need not affect your Christmas mood as you arrive two days before the day of St. Nicholas. According to locals, St Nicholas’ Day on December 6 marks the beginning of the winter and Christmas celebrations in Romania. Legend has it that on the night of December 5, St. Nicholas himself comes and fills children’s boots with candies and other gifts. You will spend two weeks here attending a Romanian school before the Christmas break, and learning about their culture and Christmas traditions.

On December 20, your group will depart for Bulgaria, where you will celebrate your first Christmas of the program. In the capital city of Sofia, you can do your Christmas shopping in the traditional German Christmas market, or take a day to climb the city’s 2000-metre high mountain, Vitosha, where you can look over the sprawling city. Bulgaria has many Christmas traditions that are still followed by some people, including keeping a vegetarian diet during the weeks before Christmas. When they have their major feast on Christmas Eve, it is tradition to only lay an odd number of dishes on the table, and leave the leftovers there until the next morning in case the ghosts of deceased family members are hungry.

After spending your first Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Bulgaria, you will head to Serbia. The Serbs celebrate Christmas on January 7 instead of December 25, as according to the old Julian calendar. So here, you will get to celebrate your second Christmas! The traditions surrounding a Serbian Christmas are often very complex, including finding the perfect tree branch to burn on the fire, and spreading straw and walnuts over the floor on Christmas Eve. There is also the custom of ‘koleda’, where a group of masked and costumed young men go from house to house singing special songs and performing acts of magic to summon health, wealth, and prosperity for each household. So, be prepared for anything!

If spending this coming Christmas in the Balkans sounds like something you’d like to do, contact your local YFU organization about how to apply, or click here for dates and more information.

Too Old for a Student Exchange? Try a YFU Gap Year Program

Did you go on a student exchange in secondary school, and want to go back already? Maybe you always wanted to go on exchange and now you regret not doing it while you had the chance? Don’t worry, because there are other options!

Several YFU countries offer a ‘gap year’ or post-secondary school program, where you can travel overseas to volunteer when you’re over the age of 18. In many Western countries, students will take a year off between finishing secondary school and starting university, or a year off after finishing university, and often use this as an opportunity to work and travel. Many volunteer programs will also be great experience for future job or university applications.

If you want to travel but are too old for a student exchange program, we have a few ideas for you!

Table Mountain from the Cape Town waterfront (source)

South Africa

South Africa have a need for volunteers in many community projects, and YFU South Africa collaborate with various not-for-profit organizations around the country, who are dependent on volunteer commitments to be able to complete their work.

The different programs include projects such as animal care, working in community centers assisting with orphaned children or people affected by HIV, or working in biodiversity and conservation. These projects will provide you with a great foundation to start a career in teaching, working with young people or working on community development.

To participate in any of the volunteer projects, you need to speak fluent English, and in some cases be prepared to learn an indigenous language (usually Afrikaans), depending on the region where you work. The program cost covers medical and travel insurance, orientations with YFU, and all meals and accommodation. You will need to cover the cost of your flights to and from South Africa.

For project profiles and more information, click here. If you are interested in participating, contact the local YFU organization in your home country!

Thippasandra Main Rd, Indira Nagar (source)

India

YFU India is offering an opportunity to live in northern India for nine months as a teacher. You will be placed in a private school and provided with accommodation, board and a small monthly stipend. While there, you will teach for four hours a day, five days a week (including Saturday).

The candidates for teaching positions must be fluent in English, experienced in working with high school students, and able to teach French, German or Spanish at a beginner’s level, and able to teach arts (such as photography, theatre, or music).

You will be required to pay for your own travel insurance. For more information, click here or contact inbound@yfuindia.org.


These are not the only gap year programs available—many YFU countries offer short- and long-term volunteer programs, and we suggest you check out countries you are interested in through yfu.org. For more information, you can also contact the YFU organization in your home country!

Four Seasons Outdoor Program in Bulgaria

Thousands of people come on holiday to Bulgaria each year, and there is one major attraction that usually draws them in: the amazing nature. The Bulgarian landscape is very diverse, with mountains, valleys, rivers, plains and beaches. How on earth would you be able to see everything, even when you spend a whole year on exchange in Bulgaria?

You can choose our Four Seasons Outdoor Program!

As an addition to our standard academic exchange year, the Four Seasons Outdoor Program offers you the chance to go on small trips every month or so to experience the vastness of the Bulgarian nature. From heavy snow to hot sunshine, you can enjoy the distinct four seasons that we have with different activities throughout the year.

Here’s an overview of some of the things you may get to do during the program:

Autumn: September to November

Photo by Nick Doyle

Your first few months in the country are sure to leave a great impression on you. Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Bulgaria. The leaves change colour and start falling from the trees, and we will have plenty of activities to keep you busy before the weather gets cooler.

One trip will be to the Vazduharia Festival, which takes place in a town in central Bulgaria every year. While there, you’ll get to experience a ‘carnival in the air’, with performances by costumed paragliders and world-famous pilots. You’ll also get to partake in various activities at the festival, such as a ropes course, slack lining and Kung-fu training.

During autumn, you will also get to take part in several 1- and 2-day camping programs around the countryside, and experience Bulgaria at its best. By joining the Bulgarian scouts on their hikes, you might get to see mountains, lakes, caves or waterfalls!

Winter: December to March

Photo by E01

Snowfall in Bulgaria will often start from mid-November, and can last until well into March! Luckily in most cities there are often long periods between snowfalls, but winter in the mountains is very different. We will take you to the beautiful Rila Mountains for a weekend of skiing and ice-skating, where there will be clear skies, lots of sunshine and crisp snow.

Along with practicing your skiing, you will also get to partake in a course at a white mountaineering school where you can take some climbs and pick up the basics of mountaineering.

Spring: April to May

Photo by Stef K

Spring in Bulgaria is often unpredictable, and it can still be quite cool with some wet weather. However, spring also means blossoming trees and lots of celebrations and festivals!

One festival that you will get a chance to visit is the Rose Festival in Kazanluk. Bulgaria is one of the biggest producers of rose oil in the world, and the Rose Festival originates from the celebrations that were traditionally held at the beginning of the rose-harvesting period. You will get to see the festival parade, visit a bazaar of traditional Bulgarian crafts, and experience the ritual gathering of the roses among many other activities.

In spring there will be the chance to attend a ropes course in Sofia, where you will get to see Bulgaria from the treetops! It will include rope bridges, rope ladders, and an alpine trolley. You may also get to take a mountain hike in the famous Stara Planina mountain range.

Summer: June

Photo by Plamen Stoev

Just before your departure back to your home country, you will get to enjoy a little piece of the warm Bulgarian summer! Summer can be very hot and dry, with temperatures getting up to the mid-30s in the height of summer.

We will spend a weekend visiting an eco-farm near Sofia to learn about the preservation of the unique and rare Bulgarian animals, the uniqueness of the traditions and manner of living in Bulgaria, and bio-agriculture. While there you will also get a chance to take horse-riding lessons!


These activities are just examples, and may not be available during your exchange year—but you might end up doing something even more fun instead! These trips are in addition to the arrival, mid-year, and re-entry seminars that every exchange student in Bulgaria attends.

So if you want to have a truly in-depth exchange experience where you can be close to nature, come to Bulgaria and get to know our country in all four seasons! For more information and how to apply, contact your local YFU organisation by going to www.yfu.org.

6 European Countries You May Not Have Considered For Your Exchange Year

So you’ve decided to go on exchange … but where do you go? The choice isn’t always an easy one! For those of you who want to stay in - or go to - Europe for your year abroad, here are some locations that you may not have considered yet.

Stockholm, Sweden

1. Sweden

Sweden is a country of long, light-filled summers and beautiful snowy winters. If you love being outdoors, you’ll never run out of things to see or explore in Sweden! While in Sweden, you could have the chance to see the Northern Lights, go dog-sledding, or even visit an ice hotel.

Whether you stay in a modern city or a small town surrounded by nature, you will get to experience the great hospitality of the Swedish people when they invite you into their homes to try the rich Nordic cuisine (which includes reindeer!). Remember to ask them out for ‘fika’!

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

2. Czech Republic

A picturesque country with a rich history, Czech Republic is filled with beautiful, ancient castles and monasteries, and historical towns that will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. You will get the chance to attend a skiing camp with students from YFU Slovakia for the midterm seminar, explore the country’s amazing countryside, and of course, learn the Czech language.

They are one of the younger YFU countries in Europe, and have only been hosting international students since 2007. There aren’t a lot of exchange students in the Czech Republic, so prepare to be a subject of interest amongst your classmates, and you will likely make a lot of friends!

Porvoo, Finland

3. Finland

Finland has the highest consumption of coffee per capita than any other country, one of the best educational systems in the world, and it’s the home of Santa Claus. While you’re in Finland, you will get to experience four distinct seasons in a country of pristine landscapes, and enjoy winter sports as well as long summer days. The northernmost town in Finland has more than 40 days of midnight sun.

The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, and what language you learn will depend on where you live. If you’re up for a challenge, you could learn both! Finnish people are honest, straightforward, and most have excellent English skills, so they will be sure to help you learn their languages.

Rõuge, Estonia

4. Estonia

Estonia is a beautiful country situated on the Baltic Sea, with extensive coastlines and forests covering about 50% of the landscape. With only just over 1 million people, Estonia has a lot of wild, untouched nature. While on exchange, you have the chance to travel not only around the country on the various seminars, but also to Helsinki for a weekend, and to northern Latvia!

YFU Estonia offers both a standard academic year program and also five special programs: nature, music, art, film and theater. No matter what program you take, you will take classes about the amazing history and culture of Estonia, and of course learn to speak Estonian.

High Tatras, Slovakia

5. Slovakia

YFU Slovakia is another very young organisation, and exchange students in Slovakia are quite uncommon. A small country in central Europe, Slovakia is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural events. It also has a vivid history and the highest number of castles and chateaux per capita in the world!

Upon your arrival you will take an intensive Slovak language course, and then you’ll have no trouble making friends—Slovaks will love you for showing an interest in their culture and learning their language! While you’re there, don’t forget to head to a local festival such as ‘Fasiangy’, the Christmas markets, and one of their many music festivals!

Amsterdam, Netherlands

6. Netherlands

Tucked away in the corner of Europe, Netherlands is one of those countries that you might not have thought about for your exchange. Famous for its great cheese (but not as great as Bulgaria’s cheese, of course), windmills and tulips, this little country has a lot to offer for your exchange year.

You can be placed with a host family anywhere in the country, and no matter where you are you will definitely find lots of friendly, open-minded people willing to help you learn Dutch. Netherlands is known for being a beautiful country where people cycle everywhere, so don’t forget to hop on a bicycle while you’re there and get to know the country the Dutch way!


Does a year abroad in any of these countries sound like a great idea? If you’d like to go abroad with YFU in 2014, head to www.yfu.org to find your home country and see where you can go!

5 Reasons to Choose Bulgaria for your Exchange Year

Going on exchange to any country is a great chance to broaden your horizons and improve your confidence! Through discovering a new place, becoming part of a new family and learning a new language, a YFU exchange program will impact on you in amazing ways, and give you life-long connections with the people you meet.

If you have decided to go abroad with YFU in 2016, then it’s likely you have already chosen your country and you’re just counting down the days until you leave. Or are you one of those students who has left your decision to the last minute… only to find that all the “good” countries have already reached their maximum intake? Or are you after a change from the more popular countries, and want to apply for somewhere a little different? Well don’t worry, because YFU Bulgaria is here!

Yantra River, northern Bulgaria (photo by Dennis Jarvis)

Here are five reasons why you should choose our little-known country for your exchange year:

1. You will learn a new and unusual language

When you come on exchange to Bulgaria you will go through a 4-week intensive language course, and then your classes at school will be in Bulgarian! It sounds daunting at first, but after spending a year here you will leave with a great grasp on the language. Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, but the grammatical system resembles the English one.

Bulgarian is a unique language that you will definitely enjoy studying. So next time your friends are bragging about their French and Spanish skills, you can impress them all by saying you speak Bulgarian!

2. You're getting off the beaten path

How many people do you know who have visited Bulgaria? Probably very few! You might be the first person in your home country to come to Bulgaria on a student exchange, and you'll get to spend your year abroad as one of very few exchange students in our country.

We don't have a very high number of inbound students, and you will more than likely be the only exchange student in your school. This makes exchange students here very special! Everyone will want to find out more about you and why you came to Bulgaria, so you certainly won't find it hard to make new friends.

3. You can have unique outdoor experiences

If you decide to come to Bulgaria for your exchange year, you have the option of choosing our Four Seasons Outdoor Program. The program has the same features as the academic year program, plus a variety of outdoor activities that take place about once a month throughout the year.

You will go skiing and ice skating in the Rila Mountains, attend a paragliding festival in Kalofer, visit Kazanlak for the Rose Valley Festival, go horse-riding on an eco-farm, and travel around the Bulgarian countryside for mountain hikes in places like Stara Planina. You'll do seriously cool things that very few exchange students ever get to experience, and enjoy the beauty of Bulgaria in every season!

4. The amazing food

Bulgarian food is one of kind. There is no concept of organic food here, because almost everything is organic! The yoghurt and white cheese (sirene) are world-famous and found on the table at almost every mealtime. Bulgarian yoghurt has a very distinct flavour, and can be found nowhere else in the world due to the specific bacteria used to produce it.

Another uniquely Bulgarian dish is banitsa, made from filo pastry, butter and eggs. It is usually made with white cheese, but there are variations with meat, pumpkin, spinach or onion. It is usually consumed for breakfast, but it tastes good at any time of the day!

5. The unique Bulgarian culture

Bulgaria is a country steeped in traditions. Folk music and dances are a very important part of Bulgarian culture, and different regions have different traditional dances. You should try and learn the dance of your region while in Bulgaria! During the year you will also get to celebrate your city's patron holiday, as every city has a patron saint they will honour once a year.

Another important celebration for Bulgaria is Baba Marta in March, when Bulgarians make and give martenitsa to symbolise the coming of spring. You wear them until you see a tree beginning to blossom, then you take it off and tie it onto the tree. Bulgaria also has name days, so if you're lucky you might also have a day dedicated just to people with your name!

So what are you waiting for? Check out our website for more details on coming to Bulgaria, and then contact YFU in your home country to plan the trip of a lifetime!